In 2025, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) will have been the primary law driving the field of special education for 50 years. A contentious area of disagreement has been the relationship between two primary mandates of the law: the obligation of schools to provide a free, appropriate public education (FAPE) to eligible…

The author describes his concerns over mainstreaming, especially as the practice applies to LD students. He quotes other special educators' misgivings about mainstreaming and decries the lack of long range planning in the field. (CL)

Five components were identified as crucial to the success of the mainstreamed peer tutoring program (selection, training, matching, supervision, and communication with/support for the regular classroom teacher). Data provided support for the conclusion that the on task behavior of tutees improved significantly as a result of the program. (SB)

The response to previous articles on the Regular Education Initiative looks at the definition of learning disabilities, identification, mainstreaming of mildly handicapped students, attitudes of general educators toward high risk students, the importance of prevention at the elementary level, and delivery systems. (DB)

The author reviews the background and development of the PAC (Parallel Alternate Curriculum) Program, designed to improve the learning of all students (including learning disabled students) by helping teachers maintain them in the mainstream classroom. Adminstrative support is cited as a key element in the program's success. (CL)

Regular and special elementary level educators completed questionnaires on specific social skills critical for success in the mainstream setting. Three general social skill areas and 15 competencies were identified. Differences between regular and special educators and primary and intermediate level teachers were identified. (Author/CL)

Results of a study involving 14 learning disabled students show that self-monitoring procedures are readily adaptable for use by learning disabled pupils in the regular classroom setting and that using self-monitoring procedures correctly is an important variable to consider when implementing them. (Author/CL)

This study compared state disparities in the diagnosis of students with learning disabilities. It found that state prevalence of learning disability was moderately explained by demographic and sociopolitical factors (unlike four common physical disabilities) and that these same factors strongly predicted the extent of mainstreaming and the size of…

Regular and special educators (N=334) identified the social skill competencies necessary for successful performance in secondary mainstream settings. Competencies fell into three major areas: appropriate work habits, respect for others and their property, and ability to follow school rules. (Author/CL)

The author reviews findings from a four-year study of mainstreaming programs, notes complaints of regular classroom teachers, describes successful approaches to promote integration, and discusses a range of mainstreaming models from informal "deals" between teachers to unconditional mainstreaming. (CL)

The author reviews problems in mainstreaming exceptional children and discusses conditions necessary for success. The importance of highly individualized teaching methods and use of special instructional materials is stressed. (CL)

The teacher training program drew on the most effective techniques of special education, condensing them into a course on how to teach. The program, implemented with regular secondary teachers on a voluntary basis, provided on-site practical training with follow-up. Reflections are offered on reasons for the program's success and training models…

The article presents educators with specific strategies to consider in constructing teacher-made tests to optimize the performance of mainstreamed students. Guidelines relating to content and format of tests as well as test-taking behaviors are discussed. (Author/CL)

Data do not support the findings of previous studies on the sociometric status of handicapped children in the regular classroom; i.e., LD children would rate significantly lower in terms of popularity than their peers who are non-LD. (Author)

The author considers the future of learning disabilities, particularly in relation to mainstreaming, the perceptual deficit hypothesis, and the psychoneurology of learning. (SBH)